of wyomissing



E. RICHTER PATTERN CHAIN Dec. 29, 1931.

Filed Nov. 23, 1929 10 firs-.3--

' INVENTOR. Jim/2'6 flicimzz',

ATTORNEY or production of knitting machines, are

Patented Dec. 29,1931 a UNITED [STATES PATENT OFF-[CB1 Application filedNovember 23, 1929. Serial No. 409,330.

This invention relates to chains, and more particularlyvto patternchains for knitting machines and the like.

The primary object of my invention is to provide a novel and simplepattern device or chain, whose movement control members, and length, canbe quickly and easilyad ust-' ed, and which is particularly useful 1ncombination with mechanisms provided to determinedly limit the movementof elements the throw, or distance of travel of which must be, preciselyvaried during operation; such for example as the yarn feed carr ersofflat knitting machines, during shaping ornamgntal and reinforcingeffects.

' The invention consists in the novel elements, features of constructionand arrangement of parts comprising the chain, as herein exemplified byone embodiment.

Other objects and attendant advantages ofthe invention, will become morereadily apparent from the following detailed descript'ion, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings in which r Fig. 1, isv afragmentary cross sectional View through the yarn carrier rods and theirsupport, of a full fashioned knitting machine, with my improved'patternchain ap plied thereto.

Fig. 2,'is a cross-sectional View of parts shown in Fig. 1, taken asindicated by the ariowsQ- -Q on said figure. r

Fig. 3, is'a'fra mentary detail View of the chain, partly bro en away.

It is well known in the knitting machine art, that flat or socalledfcot'ton frame type ber of reciprocating tread carrier rods 5having abutments- 6, which function to lay the various threads in propermanipulating position along the sinkers and needles. Each rod carries aparticular thread or yarn, which is introduced into the knitted web atdesirable points, depending on which thread car rier rod is chosen in-oeration.

In order to proper y shape, and produce various pattern, ornamental orreinforcing effects in a Web knitted by such a machine, it

- isnecessary to accordingly limit the. distance vanced step-by-stepacross and alon rovided with a num of travel or throw of these rods, sothat the thread carried thereby, is moved a certain precise distance.

While many different types of thread carrier rod stops, or controldevices, have heretofore been produced for this purpose, they have beenfound to be impractical for general use, either because they are toocomplicated, or incapable of the unlimited adjustment required foradaptation to general use.

The pattern device or chain of my in yention is particularly efiicientfor this, and similar fmovement control purposes, and where precision,unlimited range of adjustability, as well as simplicity of sential.

The chain comprises similar links 7 and 8, which are properly spacedapart by'sleeves 9,and directly united by movement control members orpins 10, havingbores 11, in which suitable link retaining members, suchas cotters 12, are seated. The pins 10 are similar in shape but ofvarious accurately cut lengths, and protrude links 7 along one side ofthe chain.

In operation, the chain may be uniformly moved, or,-a'-s in the presentinstance, ad

an abutment or shock plate '14:, by a suite 1y actuated sprocket suchmovement being synchromzed'with the movement of the rods 5. In thismanner the pins 10 are at all times kept in proper axial alignment andprovide for varying control contacts with the rods 5; the variouslylengthened pin ends 1011, extending beyond the links 8 defining apattern line, in accordance with whichthe abutconstruction are es- EMILRICHTER, OI? WYOMISSING, PENNSYLVANIA, A SSIGNO R TO TEXTILE MACHINEWORKS, OF WYOMISSING, PENN SYLVANIA A CORPORATION OF PENN S YLVANIA auniform distance beyond the control members-10 may be of difl'erent formin order to adapt them to other types of mechanisms. K

In order to vary the action and pin arrangement of the chainythe same isremoved from its cooperating mechanism and the pins '10 replaced byothers of suitable length; such similar purposes with other types ofmachines. It is therefore to be understood, that the invention is notlimited to the precise construction and application disclosed, but thatit can be used in cooperation with other machines as well, and iscapable of such changes and alterations as fairly come within the scopeof the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A knitting machine pattern chain comprising a plurality of links, andpins of different lengths pivotally connecting said links and projectingvarying distances beyond said chain along one side thereof to form apattern line.

2. In combination pattern chain the links of which are connected bypivot members projecting from the chain in varying lengths and adaptedto provide varying control abutment contacts; and an element movingaxially of said members into contact therewith to be variably limited inits movement thereby.

3. In combination a pattern chain the links of which are connected bypivot members projecting from the chain in varying lengths and adaptedto provide varying control abutment contacts; an element moving axiallyof said members into cooperating engagement therewith to be variablylimited in its operation thereby, and means adapted to align the membersduring cooperation with said element.

i. A pattern chain comprising a plurality of links, and pins ofdifferent lengths pivotally connecting said links, the ends of saidpivot pins projecting varying distances beyond said chain along one sidethereof to form'a pattern line; a member movable axially of said pinsand engageable with said ends of said pins; and means for guiding andmoving said chain to successively posi-.

tion said ends of said ins in the path of movement of said mem er to beengaged thereby for variably limiting the extent of movement thereof.

5. In a knitting machine; a pattern chain comprising a plurality oflinks interconnected by pivot pins extending through adjacent links andhaving ends projectlng in varyin lengths from said chain at one sidethereo to form a pattern line; a thread cartasting engagement thereby tovariably limit the movement of said rod.

6. In a straight knitting machine, the combination with a thread carrierrod, of a pattern chain for controlling the movements of said rodcomprising links connected by pivot members projecting from the chain invarying lengths and adapted to provide varying control abutment contactsfor-said rod, and chain guide means adapted to align said pins duringcooperation with the rod.

7. In a knitting machine; a pattern chain comprising a plurality oflinks interconnected by pivot pins of varying lengths, one end of eachof said pins projecting beyond one side of said chain and said ends ofall of said pins collectively forming a pattern line; a plurality ofthread carrier, rods movable axially of said pins; individual abutmentmembers carried by said rods; and means for guiding and moving saidchain transversely of said rods to position said ends of a plurality ofsaid pins in the paths of movement of said abutment members forcontacting engagement therewith to limit the movement of said carrierrods.

8. In aknitting machine; a pattern chain comprising a plurality ofspaced links interconnected by pivot pins of varying lengths, one end ofeach of said pins projecting beyond one side of said chain and said endsof all of said pins collectively forming a pattern line, the other endsof said pins projecting uniform distances from the other side of saidchain; a thread carrier rod movable axially of said pins; an abutmentmember mounted on said rod; means for guiding and moving said chaintransversely of said I rod to position said one end of said pins in thepath of movement of said abutment member for contacting engagementtherewith to limit the movements of said carrier rod; and a fixedabutment extending transversely of said rod and adapted to be traversedby said other ends of said pins for maintaining said pins in axialalinement.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

EMIL RICHTER.

rier rod movable axially of said pins; an abutment member mounted onsaid rod; and

means for guiding and moving said chain transverselyof sa1d rod, tosuccessively position said ends of said pins in the ath of movement ofsaid abutment member or con-

